Carpet cleaning can be a tedious task, but using the ideal cleaning method makes the process easy. Steam cleaning is a process of removing dirt particles that stick deep on the carpet fiber. Also, using a steam mop is an excellent way of stain removing, disinfecting, and cleaning carpet.
All you need is water, detergent, and a steam cleaner. Using a steam mop leaves your carpet refreshed and clean as new. This process is easy and does not need the services of a professional carpet cleaner.
Benefits of Cleaning Carpet with Steam Cleaner
Steam cleaner is an efficient cleaner that can be used to clean different surfaces, including carpets. Steam cleaning a carpet has lots of benefits, some of it is highlighted below:
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It makes carpet last longer
Generally, regular cleaning of any material would make it last longer, and it is the same and in the case of carpets. Steam cleaning would allow a rug not to lose its bright colors and prevent wear and tear.
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It is easy to remove stains
Stains can be removed in many ways, but the easiest way to remove stains from carpets is to use steam. The steam would easily remove mold-like stains, grease, and other stains without much stress.
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It is good for pet owners
Steam cleaners are perfect for pet owners because of their efficiency in killing germs and bacterias. It makes the environment a lot cleaner to take care of the pets.
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It removes odors
Too many stains bring about odor on the carpet; using a steam cleaner is the best way to deodorize your carpet.
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It kills bed bugs and fleas
Fleas are insects that should not be in the human house because of the effects of flea bites. The same thing goes with bed bugs, too, which is why a steam cleaner is ideal for killing fleas and insects on a mattress.
How to Clean a Carpet with a Steam Mop?
It is best to clean a carpet with a steam cleaner, and it is also essential to get all the proper attachments for the cleaning to be perfect. You would also need a regular vacuum cleaner to remove dust from the carpet.
Read below the step-by-step process to clean a carpet:
Step 1:
The first thing to do when you want to steam clean your house is to clear the room. You need to clear the room so that the steam cleaner would have enough space to move around during the cleaning.
It would help if you also covered the furniture legs with waterproof tapes; you can also use aluminum foil to cover the furniture legs.
After clearing the room, the next step is to vacuum the floor. It is recommended that you clean the surface twice to remove dust, hair, crumbs, and other particles on the carpet and focus more on the high traffic areas.
Step 2:
The next step is to take care of spot stains like food and drink spills; you need to take care of the spot stains by putting a piece of cloth in stain remover and then use the fabric to dab the stained area until it soaks then allow it to settle for a few minutes before steaming.
Step 3:
Then you fill the water tank with distilled water with a measuring cup as directed in the manual and add cleaning solutions and vinegar into the tank. Ensure you do not add anything that is not recommended in the manual.
Step 4:
Then you plug the cleaner in an electrical outlet and then allow the water to steam up; the best temperature to kill fleas and bugs is 212°F.
Step 5:
And the last step is to do the steam cleaning itself. It would be best to run the steam cleaner over the carpet going from one corner to another. After going a straight line, overlap the straight line when returning, making sure no dirt is missed.
After this then you give the carpet some time to dry off. Steam cleaning dries off almost instantly.
Other Options to Clean Carpets
There are several other ways to clean a carpet aside from steam cleaning. Steam cleaning is the most efficient method, but other methods include:
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Vacuum
Using a vacuum cleaner to clean a carpet is also an efficient method clean the carpet. It would help if you had a vacuum cleaner and it does not need water or any cleaning solution.
You have to run the vacuum cleaner over the carpet and then run it back in the opposite direction so it would pick every particle of dirt.
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Washing with solutions
This method is a manual method requiring a brush, soap, cleaning solutions, and water. This method is not as efficient as steam cleaning or vacuum, but it is also a popular carpet cleaning method.
You would need to mix the soap and the cleaning solutions in the water, then pour the water on the carpet and use the brush to scrub till it’s clean. This method would need natural sunlight to dry.
FAQs
Is it better to use vacuum or steam mops for cleaning?
Generally, steam mops are considered to be the best way to clean a carpet, but it depends on the type of carpet; some carpets are made of synthetic materials that cannot endure the heat of a steam mop, it is better to use a vacuum for this type of carpet.
Does steam mop damage the carpet?
No, the steam mop does not damage carpets, except the steam cleaning was done properly. Most carpet manufacturers recommend steam cleaning!
Conclusion
Cleaning a carpet using a steam mop is an excellent way of performing a routine weekly cleaning of your flooring. It removes dirt particles that lie deep down the carpet fabric. To use this machine, you do not need professional cleaning services, but you do it yourself. You first remove furniture on top of the carpet and vacuum the room to remove dust and hair.
In case of any stains, you should pre-treat because not all stains are removable by the steam cleaner. Then attach the glider to the head of the steam mop and fill the tank to the maximum capacity. Start steaming your room from the far corner of the room and clean along a straight line. Finally, leave your carpet to dry completely to prevent mold and mildew later on.
